Hair styling wand

ABSTRACT

A method for the styling of hair utilizing a portable small styling device suitable for convenient transport in a pocket or purse is disclosed. The device comprises a brush mounted on an applicator cap handle which mates with a container containing a hairstyling material. The brush extends from the handle on one end and has either a brush, comb teeth or set of bristles on the opposite end. The end containing the brush or bristles is placed within the housing container and the handle of the wand is used to control it during use after a hairstyle has been determined to have a portion of which is out of place. When the cap is on the vial, the brush or other applicator is positioned within the hairstyling material contained within the vial, being substantially submerged in the hairstyling material. The consumer can remove the brush or other applicator from the housing container and apply the product to the unruly portion of his or her hair.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a portable apparatus and methods for quick and convenient correction of an unruly or otherwise out-of-place portion of a person's styled hair by the application of a hair control material to the hair.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(Not applicable)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, hair styling products come in many forms, including jars, tubes and aerosol cans. Customarily, the consumer keeps such products in his or her home. When the consumer goes out for the day and needs to reapply a hair control product they cannot, quite obviously, because the product is at home. This poses an issue for consumers not only in their day-to-day activities, but also when they travel. When individuals are away from their homes, such issues are addressed in minimal fashion, for example by a quick trip to the washroom where brushing in a little water may set the hair in a desired configuration. However, such an expedient merely temporarily rearranges sulfide bonds between the keratin protein strands in the hair, and humidity in the air will gradually cause the problem to return. Indeed, if the hair is exposed to rain, high humidity, or the like, the problem will return very quickly, unlike the instance of a permanent wave which involves the cleaving, rearrangement and reattachment of the permanent disulfide bonds. In some cases, the water treated hair will not stay in place unless mechanically restrained for a period of time, for example by a hairpin, which may then be removed.

While hair dressings are available which will paste down an entire head of hair, for many styles the look is undesirable and most unnatural. Accordingly, many hairstyles require a minimal amount of a material to maintain their position. Accordingly, for a part of a hair arrangement to fall out of control is common.

The present invention has as its object to address these issues and create a more effective and more convenient solution for the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the inventive method contemplates the use of an inventive styling wand-shaped device for the correction of irregularities in styled hair. The inventive wand comprises at one end a roughly cylindrical case serving as a vial to hold a styling product and at the other end a handle, such as a cylindrical handle for supporting a wand applicator, which may be in the form of a brush secured to the handle which serves as a cap to close the vial at its end. The wand is placed inside the vial, forming a structure analogous to a mascara applicator. With the cap which supports the brush applicator sealing the vial, the inventive apparatus is in the “closed” position, which would simultaneously serve to apply the styling product to the wand brush. When the wand brush is pulled from the vial it carries with it the product deposited on the brush, which the consumer may then use to apply to his or her hair. The products may include, but are not limited to, anti-frizz products, styling waxes, styling pomades, oils, film formers, dispersions, emulsions, serums, etc.

An advantage of the present invention is that the container and wand may be implemented largely using existing tooling, such as that used for mascara applicators. The inventive apparatus allows the consumer to conveniently apply product to the hair while the individual is on the go and can be taken anywhere because of its small size and self-contained nature.

In accordance with the invention, a method for styling hair with an inventive styling device is provided. The method comprises providing a liquid containing vessel. The liquid containing vessel is provided with first securement structure. An applicator cap is provided with mating securement structure, that cooperates with the first securement structure. The applicator cap is provided with an applicator support member, which is secured to an applicator member. The applicator member is provided with an axially oriented support member and a plurality of substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members.

The liquid containing vessel is filled with a quantity of scalp hair styling material, and the applicator member is positioned at least partially within the scalp hairstyling material. The applicator cap is positioned in substantially sealing relationship with the liquid containing vessel by causing the applicator cap to bear against the liquid containing vessel and substantially seal the liquid containing vessel, the liquid containing vessel and the applicator cap together forming an elongated styling device having an axial length and a width.

One then styles an individual's scalp hair into a hairstyle. Upon observing the hairstyle, a determination is made respecting that a portion of the hairstyle, which is out of place. One that procures the elongated styling device. After removing the applicator cap from the liquid containing vessel with a quantity of the hairstyling material on the material holding and applying members, one applies the hairstyling material to the portion of the hairstyle which is out of place by working the hairstyling material into the hair forming the portion of the hairstyle which is out of place, the working being done by using the material holding and applying members. One then returns the material holding and applying member into the liquid containing vessel. The applicator cap is sealed to the liquid containing vessel for subsequent use.

One may portably transport the elongated styling device containing hair-styling material in a purse, pocket or other container.

The hairstyling material may be waxy in consistency, or may comprise a volatile material. The hairstyling material may be substantially color and pigment free. They hairstyling material may be essentially colorless.

A styling device for portably transporting and applying a hair-styling material in accordance with the invention comprises a liquid containing vessel. First securement structure is associated with the liquid containing vessel. An applicator cap includes mating securement structure associated with the applicator cap, the mating securement structure meeting with the first securement structure, and cooperating with the first securement structure to cause the applicator cap to bear against the liquid containing vessel and substantially seal the liquid containing vessel. The liquid containing vessel and the applicator cap together form an elongated styling device having an axial length and a width. An applicator support member is secured to the applicator cap. An applicator member is secured to the applicator support member, the applicator member comprising an axially oriented support member and a plurality of substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members.

A quantity of scalp hair styling material is contained within the liquid containing vessel, the applicator member being positioned at least partially within the scalp hairstyling material when the applicator cap is in substantially sealing relationship with the liquid containing vessel, when the elongated styling device is positioned in the upright position.

The first securement structure and the mating securement structure may comprise mating threads or bayonet structure.

The scalp hairstyling material may be substantially colorless and substantially without any pigment.

The substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members may comprise bristles or comb teeth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive method and the operation of the inventive styling wand will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the inventive applicator in the upright position in a “closed” configuration, in which an applicator brush is resting within the container surrounded by hairstyling material;

FIG. 2 illustrates the applicator cap and brush of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the bottle portion of the inventive applicator for containing hairstyling material;

FIG. 4 illustrates in plan view an alternative embodiment of the inventive applicator cap incorporating a miniaturized comb;

FIG. 5 is plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention fabricated from a plastic resin material;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator cap and bottle of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of the applicator brush in the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative applicator brush useful in accordance with the present invention and having bristles mounted in a twisted steel wire configuration, with the wire mounted within a plastic elongated member for connection to an applicator cap; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an applicator constructed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating a transparent bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the inventive styling wand 10, has a length 12 of about 14 centimeters (cm) and a diameter of 2.5 cm. Wand 10 may comprise a generally cylindrically-shaped vial, such as a right circular vial 14, having an exposed portion 16. Exposed portion 16 has a length 18 of about 9 cm. An applicator cap 20 has a generally-cylindrically shaped handle portion 22 with a length 24 of about 5 cm.

Referring to FIG. 2, the inventive hairstyling device or wand 10 comprises a cap 20 which screws into and closes vial 14 using mating threads (FIG. 3). The upper portion of vial 14 bears threads 26 which mate with inner threads 28 in applicator cap 20, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. A brush 30 is attached to cap portion 22. A quantity of hairstyling material 32 is contained within vial 14. Wand cap 20 can be locked into position closing vial 14 by bringing threads 26 in contact with mating threads 28 and twisting the cap handle portion 22 over vial 14 in the manner of a conventional mascara applicator, after brush 30 has been placed within vial 14. In this position, vial 14 is closed by cap 20, and the inventive wand 10 may be transported, for example in a pocket or purse.

Referring to FIG. 2, brush 30 comprises an elongated support member 34 extending from the cap handle portion 22, and bristles 36 mounted on elongated support member 34. The construction of the brush may be of conventional design, for example comprising bristles mounted between a pair of twisted wires, or bristles mounted in an elongated plastic resin support member. Cap 20 may thus be grasped by cap handle portion 22 and used as a brush for the application of that portion of hairstyling material 32 deposited on bristles 36 at the end of applicator cap 20 opposite cap handle portion 22. In accordance with the invention, bristles 36 may generally define a right circular cylindrical configuration. The bristles may have a length sufficient to extend into the hair to be styled and be stiff enough to force their way in between the strands of hair to be styled.

In accordance with the invention, the vial 14 is filled with hairstyling material 32. After that applicator cap 20 with its integral brush is inserted in the vial and screwed tight, sealing the vial and preventing deterioration of the hairstyling material 32. When it is desired to use the inventive hairstyling wand 10, applicator cap 20 is unscrewed and removed from vial 14. The user uses the inventive hair styling wand 10 by grasping cap handle portion 22 and sparingly applying hairstyling material 32 to the unruly locks or other portions of the hair in need of styling, while simultaneously shaping the configuration of the hair being styled.

Hairstyling material 32 is selected for having a tackiness, viscosity or combination of tackiness and viscosity sufficient to adhere the unruly hairs to each other in the desired configuration. In principle, additional security for the fix may be achieved by using material which hardens over time, such as a film former, or hairstyling material 32 with a volatile component which, when it evaporates, leaves behind a substantially harder, more tacky, viscous or otherwise more secure hairstyling structure.

A suitable hairstyling material may be a hairstyling material of the type sold by L'Oreal under its Mythic Oil trademark. While a wide variety of materials may achieve suitable results, a hairstyling material comprising principally cyclopentacyloxane, dimethcone, C 12-15 alkyl benzoate, avocado oil, grape seed oil, and limonene and other ingredients customarily used with such materials as are well known in the art in quantities typically used in the art will work well.

In accordance with the invention it is also contemplated that styling may be done not only with the brush of applicator cap 20, but also other means, such as the fingers of the user. Moreover, in accordance with the invention styling may be done after hairstyling material 32 has hardened partially or completely, and/or by an additional application of hairstyling material.

Alternative embodiments are illustrated with numbers 100 higher than corresponding or analogous parts, where practicable, in earlier embodiments. An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the brush with its bristles is replaced by a comb 130. Comb 130 carries a number of teeth 136. The use of applicator cap 120 is similar to the use of applicator 20, except that application of the hairstyling material is done with the teeth 136 of comb 130. Different types of bristles and combs as well as other applicators, may be used in the inventive system to adapt the same to different products, hair styles, etc.

Returning to of FIG. 3, the container formed by vial 14 is depicted. The vial 14 may be made of glass and thus serve as the outer shell and a container. Alternatively, a plastic material may be used when the hairstyling material is made of a material which will not attack the particular plastic used to make the vial.

Still yet another alternative, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is to fabricate the inventive styling device 210 using a plastic outer housing comprising in applicator cap 220 and a vial housing 221, which incorporates a vial 214 for containing the hairstyling material 232. The vial housed within housing 221 may contain the particular product for hair styling. At the top of vial 232 is a small opening 215 which is surrounded by an opening 217 in the housing 221.

A brush 230 is introduced into opening 215 of vial 232, passing further down into the bottom of vial 232. When this occurs, brush 236 rests inside of the vial 232, which contains the hairstyling material. At this point the brush 230 or its bristles are submerged in the hairstyling material. Brush 230 can then be pulled out by its applicator cap 220 in order to be used for application of hairstyling material.

When the consumer is done using the inventive device, he or she can place the brush 230 back into the housing 221, as described above. In order to secure the housing 221 to applicator cap 220 together, the consumer can twist the handle 3 in a clockwise direction while applying a slight pressure towards the container 2, which will cause the two pieces to lock together. As an alternative to mating screw threads, a bayonet type twist mating structure may be used. The same may also incorporate a positive lock indicating snapping arrangement. A simple snap or friction fit may also be employed.

In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that different brush or other applicator arrangements may be implemented for both men and women and for different types of hair and hairstyles. Likewise, different hairstyling materials are also implemented for different types of hair.

Instead of the cylindrical brush arrangement of the prior embodiment, the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6 has a brush 236 with smaller diameter portions 237 and 239 (FIG. 7). Portions 237 and 239 have a diameter of about 5 mm or a little more. A central portion 241 of brush 236 is of greater diameter, peaking at approximately 10 mm. Brush 236 is formed of an underlying plastic support member 243, with bristles 245 mounted therein.

The use of a varying diameter in brush 236 has the advantage of providing relatively stiff applicator end portions 237 and 239 which are more sure to penetrate relatively tightly positioned hairs. This will also separate those hairs, allowing longer brush bristles in central portion 241 to penetrate into such hairs with the longer bristles associated with central portion 241. The bristles in central portion 241 will also penetrate into relatively thick clumps of hair, and do so easily where those clumps of hair are not too tightly bound to each other.

The provision of various brush bristle lengths, in the context of shocks of hair that may be relatively long, for example compared to eyebrows, eyelashes and even men's sideburns gives the inventive device enhanced effectiveness generally, as well as enhanced effectiveness in a wide variety of styling situations.

The various versions of the inventive applicator may be made from a range of suitable materials, such as plastic, glass, white metal, pot metal, aluminum, steel or finer metals, such as silver, brass or gold. The brush may take various forms and incorporate various types of bristles 5 composed of different materials (such as nylon, bristle, rigid comb teeth and other applicator structures known in the art) and be fabricated in a number of different formations (such as cylindrical, elliptical, or tapered), being held together by various means (such as twisted steel wire, supported in a plastic mounting member, or other structures known to the art).

FIG. 8 illustrates a brush 336 which may be used for a range of different hair products. Because various hair products may be different, in accordance with the invention, components may be modified to accommodate particular hairstyling materials. For example, anti-frizz oil is much less dense than a styling wax and a higher density of bristles may be employed to increase the amount of oil carried by the brush. Conversely, a large quantity of a styling wax is likely to be carried by even the simple structures such as a tiny comb.

Brush 336 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a length of about 1.8 cm and a diameter of about 7 mm. Bristles 331 in FIG. 8 are about 3 millimeters long. Bristles 331 or held in place between a pair of twisted steel wires 340, which are mounted in elongated plastic support 342. The invention is not limited to these sizes or materials, as the overall size of the device may be altered in order to better fit the needs of various users. Different models may be larger or smaller than others and be made of different materials.

In the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the inventive styling material applicator 410 is smaller in size, about 9 cm in length. The length of the bristles is about 25 mm and they are disposed along about 2 cm of the length of brush 436. The length of the applicator cap 420 is about 4 cm and the cylindrically shaped shell within which styling brush 436 is contained, when it is not in use, is about 4.5 cm in length. The invention is not limited to these dimensions, but the various embodiments disclosed herein show how some models may differ from others in order to better meet the needs of different applications and users.

The inventive hair styling applicator may be manufactured with differing sizes in order to be more effective for different users, increase the amount of hairstyling material contained in the vial, and to accommodate other needs of users. A user with longer, thicker hair may find a longer brush with shorter bristles more efficient than other configurations. Size may also be an issue for users who may want to use this product when traveling away from home and travelling by air. With the restrictions on carry-on luggage, which restricts liquids to a few ounces, the user could buy a smaller version of the product in order to be able to bring the product with them on an airplane.

The invention may be sold with bristles of different length thickness, stiffness and so forth in order to better work with the hair length, style, and texture of the user. Different lengths of bristles and densities of bristles may be used in order to better apply the product, as well. Bristles may vary in such aspects such as, but not limited to, density, length, texture, shape, size, cross-sectional shape, and flexibility.

As alluded to above the inventive applicator may come with, but is not limited to, a comb of different variations in order to better fit the hair length, style, and texture of the user. Different lengths of combs and densities of comb teeth may be used in order to better fit the product, as well. Such combs may have alterations in aspects such as, but not limited to, density, length, texture, shape, size, and flexibility.

The bottle portion of the applicator containing the product may also differ in its material in order to change the aesthetics of the invention. Some products may have an attractive color that the user would select. The bottle may be transparent. The material may have color. Alternatively, a clear material may be used as a hairstyling material.

As alluded to above, with any of the above embodiments the user will take the applicator cap with its brush and remove it from the inventive applicator, either by un-screwing it or pulling it apart if a friction fit is employed instead of screw threads or the like. Once the two pieces can be moved freely by the user, the user can dip the brush back into the bottle containing the product to submerge the brush (or other type of applicator) into the product. The user then pulls the brush out of the bottle containing the product and can run the brush (or other type of end) through his or her hair. This can be done as needed in order to meet their cosmetic goals. Once the user is done, he or she places the brush back inside of the end containing the product and then secures the two pieces together, for example, by twisting.

In accordance with the invention, a wide variety of hairstyling materials may be employed. The same may be cremes, pomades, waxes, volatile and non-volatile lotions, waxes, oils, water in oil formulations, oil in water formulations, suspensions, emulsions, solutions or mixtures of the same.

The invention can be taken with the user and stored in practically any location, such as, but not limited to, a pocket, purse, wallet, backpack, or handbag. This will allow the user to use the product throughout the day and while on trips, rather than having to rely on their products to last the entire day (almost all of which do not last that long).

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method for styling hair with a styling device, comprising: (a) providing a liquid containing vessel; (b) providing said liquid containing vessel with first securement structure; (c) providing an applicator cap; (d) providing said applicator cap with mating securement structure, said mating securement structure mating with said first securement structure, and cooperating with said first securement structure; (e) providing said applicator cap with an applicator support member secured; (f) securing an applicator member to said applicator support member, said applicator member being provided with: (i) an axially oriented support member; and (ii) a plurality of substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members; (g) filling said liquid containing vessel with a quantity of scalp hair styling material, and positioning said applicator member at least partially within said scalp hairstyling material; (h) positioning said applicator cap in substantially sealing relationship with said liquid containing vessel by causing said applicator cap to bear against said liquid containing vessel and substantially seal said liquid containing vessel, said liquid containing vessel and said applicator cap together forming an elongated styling device having an axial length and a width; (i) styling scalp hair on an individual to put said scalp hair into a hairstyle; (j) observing said hairstyle; (k) determining that a portion of said hairstyle is out of place; (l) procuring said elongated styling device; (m) removing said applicator cap from said liquid containing vessel with a quantity of said hairstyling material on said material holding and applying members; (n) applying said hairstyling material to said portion of said hairstyle which is out of place by working said hairstyling material into said hair forming said portion of said hairstyle which is out of place, said working being done by using said material holding and applying members; (o) returning said material holding and applying members into said liquid containing vessel; and (p) sealing said applicator cap to said liquid containing vessel.
 2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising portably transporting said elongated styling device containing hair-styling material in a purse, pocket or other container.
 3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said hairstyling material is waxy in consistency.
 4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said hairstyling material comprises a volatile material.
 5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said hairstyling material is substantially color and pigment free.
 6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said hairstyling material is essentially colorless.
 7. A styling device for portably transporting and applying a hair-styling material, comprising: (a) a liquid containing vessel; (b) first securement structure associated with said liquid containing vessel; (c) an applicator cap; (d) mating securement structure associated with said applicator cap, said mating securement structure mating with said first securement structure, and cooperating with said first securement structure to cause said applicator cap to bear against said liquid containing vessel and substantially seal said liquid containing vessel, said liquid containing vessel and said applicator cap together forming an elongated styling device having an axial length and a width; (e) an applicator support member secured to said applicator cap; and (f) an applicator member secured to said applicator support member, said applicator member comprising: (i) an axially oriented support member; and (ii) a plurality of substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members; (g) a quantity of scalp hair styling material contained within said liquid containing vessel, said applicator member being positioned at least partially within said scalp hairstyling material when said applicator cap is in substantially sealing relationship with said liquid containing vessel, and said elongated styling device is positioned in the upright position.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said scalp hairstyling material is substantially colorless.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said first securement structure and said mating securement structure comprise mating threads.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said scalp hairstyling material is substantially colorless and substantially without any pigment.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members comprise bristles.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said substantially radially oriented material holding and applying members comprise comb teeth. 